NFL Draft Buzz: Travis Hunter vs. Shohei Ohtani? Heisman Winner Sparks Debate

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Two-way star Travis Hunter might be experiencing his “welcome to the NFL” moment even before officially entering the league.

During a press session at the NFL Combine, Hunter reaffirmed his ambition to play both receiver and cornerback at the professional level. He was then asked a seemingly simple question: Which is more difficult—what he does or what Shohei Ohtani does?

“Probably me,” Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner from Boynton Beach, responded. “Football puts a lot on your body. Ohtani is a great player, but you have to endure a lot in football.”

If Hunter thought that would be the end of the discussion, he was mistaken. Los Angeles Dodgers fans were quick to react, as were sports analysts. Even Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe weighed in, siding with Major League Baseball and challenging Hunter to step into a batting cage.

“Just the machine,” Sharpe said on the Nightcap podcast. “Tell them to turn that up to 90-95 miles per hour and let me see you hit it. Just the fastball. No slider, no curve, no sinker. The hardest thing to do in sports is hit a baseball coming at you. … You’re an exceptional talent, but it’s not even comparable.”

Ohtani has already led the Dodgers to a championship, while Hunter has yet to play a single down in the NFL. The debate over the comparison’s validity will likely continue as Hunter’s career progresses.

Could Travis Hunter Be Content Playing Just One Position?

NFL teams now have an important decision to make regarding Hunter. While his talent at both positions is undeniable, he is determined to showcase his skills in both roles. Any team considering drafting him solely for one position may be making a choice they regret. Hunter believes his versatility is what makes him worthy of being the first overall pick.

“I have a unique case because I play both sides of the ball,” he said. “Not many players in the NFL have done it.”

His college coach, Deion Sanders, is one of the few exceptions. Sanders was not only a Hall of Fame cornerback but also a return specialist and even recorded 475 receiving yards in a season.

Hunter made sure to highlight his dual-skill set during interviews with NFL teams.

“They say nobody has ever done it the way I do it,” Hunter said. “But I tell them I’m just different.”

The Physical and Mental Demands of Playing Both Sides


Conditioning plays a significant role in Hunter’s ability to excel at both positions.

“I’ve put my body through a lot,” he said. “I do a lot of treatment, but people don’t see that part. What I do to keep my body at 100% every game. I feel like nobody has done what I have. I know I can do it. I did it in college, where you rarely get breaks. In the NFL, there are a lot more breaks.”

Hunter elaborated on his recovery process, which includes cold and hot tub treatments, as well as extensive film study. Since he cannot attend both receiver and defensive back meetings at the same time, he often studied extra on his own.

“I spent a lot of time studying by myself,” he said. “Going up to the coaches’ office when nobody else was there.”

Deion Sanders Trusted Hunter’s Preparation

Hunter credited Sanders, whom he considers a father figure, for trusting him to manage his workload at Colorado.

“I didn’t have load management at Colorado,” he said. “Coach Prime pretty much let me do what felt right for my body. I know my body best. I did a lot of treatment and training and always felt ready.”

In a lighthearted moment during the Q&A, Hunter was asked who would win in a matchup—Travis Hunter the cornerback or Travis Hunter the receiver.

His answer? “Travis Hunter.”

When asked about which NFL teams had shown the most interest in him, Hunter declined to answer.

“Next question,” he said repeatedly.

Hunter Brings More Than Just Talent

Despite dodging questions about team preferences, Hunter emphasized his personality and energy.

“Everybody knows I can light up a room just by walking in,” he said. “I always have a smile on my face. I bring the excitement.”

Given his abilities, some have wondered whether he could also be a return specialist, much like Sanders was during his career. However, Hunter is focused on his two primary roles.

“I don’t know about being a returner,” he said. “I’ve already got two jobs.”

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